There’s a popular post making the rounds about a supposed association between the Name of God and breathing. (If you haven’t seen it, don’t worry, it’s no loss.) I’m including a photo that’s been attached to this post, but not the post itself, because….well, this is because.
1. This post has absolutely no biblical basis. Nowhere in scripture are we told, or is it even implied, that the covenant name of God is associated with breathing.
2. The woman who wrote the original post claims that “scholars and Rabi’s [sic] have noted that the letters YHWH represent breathing sounds, or aspirated consonants. When pronounced without intervening vowels, it actually sounds like breathing.”
Hmm. Who are these scholars and rabbis? What is her source for this information? Are they even credible, biblical sources? We don’t know because she doesn’t say. We’re just supposed to take her word for it, I guess?
And even if they DO “note” this, as she claims, somewhere, I have more questions: How do they know those consonants represent breathing? And if they did, how do they know that it has any connection to our breathing and speaking the name of God? The whole post jumps speculatively from one conclusion to another…based on the “expertise” of these vague, nameless sources.
I’ve been a student of extremely solid, biblical teachers for a long time, and have never heard anything like this. I have a hard time attaching any credibility to this claim.
3. The woman who wrote this, and the organizations that are promoting this post, are, as far as I can see, across the board unbiblical in their doctrine and practice. That should be enough to keep us from promoting this post. It’s important to know the sources of what we’re sharing. Is it biblical? Can we recommend their general teaching on other topics?
4. God uses clear words to communicate—in the scripture. Not feelings. Not impressions. Not experiences. And not breathing. Breathing in itself actually communicates absolutely nothing, other than that, yes, you’ve been born, and you’re alive.
5. In Scripture, the name of God, especially the covenant name of God, is to be held in extremely high honor. It’s the 3rd of the Ten Commandments:
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,
for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”
— Exodus 20:7
This is because the Name of God is the Bible is representative of His attributes and character, just as your name represents who you are and your character. He is THRICE HOLY. He is perfect, righteous, just, powerful, majestic, and to be feared. This post reduces the very Name of God (and thus His character) to an experience rather than actual truths about who He is. To reduce His Name to mere breathing, including even the breathing of those who reject and hate Him (!) is to slander His name. It borders on, if it doesn’t actually, fall into the category of taking His name in vain.
6. All through this post sits the underlying belief that “mere words” aren’t quite deep enough to express ourselves, and the mystical notion that God also expresses Himself in "deeper" ways than in His word. Actually, the Bible stands contrary to this notion. God expresses Himself to us in His words, and warns us not to add to them:
"You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you,
nor take away from it, that you may keep
the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."
Deut. 4:2
"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart."
Deut. 6:6
“You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart
and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand,
and they shall be as frontals on your forehead."
Deut. 11:18
“Be careful to listen to all these words which I command you,
so that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever,
for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God."
Deut. 12:28
"For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received
the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God,
which also performs its work in you who believe."
1 Thess. 2:13
"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions
which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us."
2 Thess. 2:15
"...for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will,
but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God..."
2 Peter 1:21
There is no other way to actually know for sure what He is like. He has to speak and tell us. Scripture also tells us that out of the mouth the heart speaks. There’s really no other way to clearly express to others what is in our heart other than to use words. A person can’t worship if their heart isn’t regenerate and their will and mind aren’t involved. This is a unbiblical, mystical notion, that worship is somehow deeper than words and that it can be expressed even without our knowing it.
One final word. This post about God’s name seems to have touched a chord with many people, even friends of mine that are solid in the word of God. We need to watch out, because our emotions are easily manipulated. Just because something seems “amazing” or sounds really wonderful doesn’t mean it is true. We are far too prone to follow ideas that sound good or speak to our emotions somehow. But emotions don't dictate truth. Peter warns in his epistle about people who teach and follow sensuality (meaning, their feelings and emotions). Truth about God is especially important. It’s found clearly delineated in the words of scripture and nowhere else.
“…seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining
to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by
His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us
His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them
you may become partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust….
“…For we did not follow cleverly devised tales
when we made known to you the power and coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty…
“So we have the prophetic word made more sure,
to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture
is a matter of one’s own interpretation,
for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will,
but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
But false prophets also arose among the people,
just as there will also be false teachers among you,
who will secretly introduce destructive heresies,
even denying the Master who bought them,
bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
Many will follow their sensuality,
and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned…”
— 2 Peter 1:3-4; 16; 19-2:2
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